It’s been awaited for ages, delayed for ages too, but at last it has arrived; the new restaurant in the Opéra Garnier – handily called the Opéra Restaurant – has just opened, with interesting architecture, lofty ceilings and prices to match…788m² inside, a terrace spanning another 500m², moderne architecture, an amazing setting… now here’s some serious competition for the Le Minipalais.

L’Opéra Restaurant has been designed by architect Odile Decq, and the food is from respected chef Christophe Aribert (helped by Executive Chef Yann Tanneau and Pâtissier Hervé Moreau).

If you’ve never seen Odile Decq before, you may be surprised to find she looks much like Siouxsie Sioux. More power to her!

The sweeping lines of the new design don’t actually touch the structure of the venerable building (perhaps helping the daring project to be accepted), and it’s almost certain that it will become one the places to be seen in Paris, despite the (expectedly) high prices. Handily, it’s just a minute from the Apple Store too!

Perhaps popping in for a cocktail on the mezzanine would be a less financially risky prospect?img alt=”” src=”http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6099/5915335724_b5e92539b7_o_d.jpg” title=”l'Opéra Restaurant, Opéra Garnier, Paris” class=”aligncenter” width=”530″ height=”668″ />More info on the official site: www.opera-restaurant.frphotos: Rolland Halbe